KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler Independent School District has announced that the John Tyler High School Principal will be leaving. Shon Joseph announced his resignation Tuesday. He will be taking a principal position at Little Elm High School, in Little Elm. Joseph said, “This decision was very difficult,” Mr. Joseph said. “This move will allow me more flexibility and more time with my family. I will always remember John Tyler’s team of students and parents. There is nothing like a Friday night at Rose Stadium with the Big Blue Band and the best football team in the state. I can’t thank you enough for your support and unwavering belief in me as a leader.”

During his time at John Tyler High School, Mr. Joseph was awarded the 2011-2012 Region VII High School Principal of the Year award.

“Mr. Joseph is an outstanding principal that set high academic standards for the students of John Tyler High School,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid said. “He has served as a leader not only in the district, but also in our community. He will be greatly missed.”

MARSHALL — A Marshall man is in custody in Conroe in connection with the December murder of Kenneth Dillard, of Marshall. Dillard’s body was found Dec. 16 near St. James Cemetery in Harleton. He had been stabbed repeatedly, investigators said. According to the Longview News-Journal, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jay Webb said Monday, investigators recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon. William Penn Jones is charged with terroristic threat and murder in connection with the slaying. Jones, 29, was taken into custody May 3 in Montgomery County. He is expected to be transferred to Harrison County this week.

LONGVIEW – Thunderstorms that moved through the area overnight Monday and Tuesday were responsible for some power outages. In the Gregg County area, Swepco reported Monday night over 10,000 residences without power. The majority of that was on the north side of Longview.

LONGVIEW – A fire has destroyed the Willene Alston residence in the 1300 block of Montclair Street in Longview. It was reported around 1:00 Monday afternoon. No one was at home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the garage.

LONGVIEW – A Tatum couple’s family has grown by four. The woman, around 12:30 Monday afternoon, gave birth to quadruplets. The babies were delivered by cesarean section at Good Shepherd Medical Center. The parents are Ruben Salgado and Maria Jamaica.

TYLER – Tyler ISD is calling on parents to carefully review the contents of their children’s belongings before sending them to school. The call to action comes after a student at Orr Elementary School brought an unloaded weapon to campus. According to a school district statement issued Monday, the weapon was found and confiscated, and no students were in danger, but the incident serves as a reminder for parents to closely monitor their students. “We have staff and procedures in place to ensure our campuses are safe learning environments for our students,” Ken Vaughn, Tyler ISD Director of Student Services, stated. “We also need support from our parents and guardians to help us control what students bring to school.”

The statement continues, “Tyler ISD wants to assure parents that no students were harmed during the incident today. The teacher and principal followed proper procedure to make sure that all students were safe throughout the day. The investigation into this incident is ongoing and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken concerning the student involved.”

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview are continuing to investigate a fatal accident, and they have some additional information. Just before 10:00pm on May 3, officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of Estes Parkway for an accident involving a pedestrian. When officers arrived they found the victim, Robert Wayne Mullins of Longview, lying in the roadway. Mullins, 51, was attempting to cross the roadway in a dimly lit area located away from the intersection. Mullins was struck by a Camry driven by 20 year-old Rebecca Ann Sheets of Tatum. Mullins was transported to a local hospital where he died.

Police have now learned that three black females stopped to help the victim but left before police arrived. Police are also looking for the driver of a white or light colored SUV that may have been involved in the accident. If you have any information regarding the accident or the driver of the SUV, you’re asked to contact the Longview Police Traffic Unit at 903-237-1196 or Officer Mike Grisham at 903-239-5516. If the caller wishes to remain anonymous, he or she can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-236-STOP (7867).

HARLETON — A Harrison County 2-year old has drowned. According to KETK, at around 4:30 Sunday afternoon, Harrison County 911 dispatchers received a call from an address on Private Road 4137, near Harleton, about a possible drowning. When crews arrived, they found Lacy Besecke being given CPR inside the residence.

According to the child’s grandmother, who lives there, she was watching the children play in the pool from the back porch. The grandmother says the child was wearing a swim ring, and had apparently taken the swim ring off, and was found at the bottom of the pool by other children. It is not known how long the child was under the water. The victim was taken to a Longview hospital where she was pronounced dead by the emergency room physician.

LONGVIEW — An 86-year-old Longview woman who was struck by a vehicle while crossing Gilmer Road has died from her injuries. The accident happened April 27 around 5:15 a.m. on West Loop 281 and Gilmer Road. Longview Police were told that a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Charles Patrick McClain, Longview, was traveling south on Gilmer Road. McClain stated he did not see the victim, Mary Ruth Burgess Neal, Longview, crossing the roadway. Neal was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center where she remained until her death on May 4. No charges have been filed against McClain.

TYLER – The Kimberly Cargill murder trial is underway in state district court in Tyler. Whitehouse police charged Cargill in July 2010 with the murder of Cherry Dianne Walker, 29, who authorities described as mentally challenged. Walker’s body was found in June 2010 off County Road 2191. Officials say Walker was murdered one day after she was issued a subpoena to testify in a custody hearing regarding Cargill’s 4-year old son. The 45-year old is also charged with injury to a child. Her bonds total $1.5 million. She has entered a not guilty plea.

SMITH COUNTY — Dixie and Noonday fire departments responded to a brush fire on County Road 195 South of Tyler. According to KETK, it started around 5:00 Sunday evening. Fire officials said the brush fire burned about 1 acre of land. No injuries were reported. Now an investigation is underway to determine how the fire got started.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of pavement repairs on Westbound Interstate Highway 20 between State Highway 110 south of Van and Willow Branch Road near the Van Zandt County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repair operations on Loop 456 in Jacksonville between U.S. Highway 69 south and State Highway 204, followed later in the week by the same work on U.S. Highway 79 between US 69 and Larissa Street. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement-repair operations on Farm Road 859 south of Edgewood. Meanwhile, construction work continues on FM 859 between Farm Road 1395 and State Highway 19 near the Rains County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on Farm Road 1845 between Loop 281 and the Upshur County Line, and on Farm Road 2963 between Farm Road 349 and Lake Cherokee. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TENNESSEE COLONY — Texas Department of Transportation construction crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately three weeks of resurfacing work on Farm Road 645 between U.S. Highway 287 north of Tennessee Colony and Farm Road 3328 near the TDCJ Beto I Unit. Also this week, erosion control work is scheduled to continue on SE Loop 256 near Farm Road 322. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2496 between U.S. Highway 259 north of Mount Enterprise and Farm Road 1798 east of Laneville. A second crew is scheduled to be at work this week on Farm Road 918 between State Highway 135 in Overton and U.S. Highway 259 south of Kilgore. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2869 north of Farm Road 2088. The work is in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 515 west of Farm Road 2225. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on State Highway 19 between Athens and the Anderson County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

PALESTINE — A 34-year-old Palestine woman described as “a major player” in the area’s distribution of methamphetamine was arrested Friday during the serving of a pair of sealed indictments, according to the Palestine Herald. Leslie Ann Deltoro (pictured) was arrested on two charges of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance 4-to-200 grams and a single charge of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance 1-to-4 grams Friday morning at her apartment in the 200 block of South Church Street, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor. Deltoro has previously served time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on a drug conviction, according to the sheriff.

A second person at the apartment, Juliana Marie Martinez,30, of Palestine, was also arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram, according to the sheriff.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County officials tell KETK a man from Whitehouse was headed back home Sunday morning when he crashed his pickup truck about a mile south of Bullard just after 7:00. He was traveling northbound on Highway 69 and Farm to Market Road 2493 when he reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. The truck flipped and then landed into a nearby ditch. Responding deputies said they closed the northbound lanes of Highway 69 for about an hour. The man’s injuries were said to be minor.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation is awarding over $200,000 in scholarships to high school and college students from East Texas for 2012. This marks the first year ETCF scholarship awards have reached the $200,000 milestone. First-time scholarships of over $130,000 were awarded to 70 students at a reception held in honor of the recipients at Marvin United Methodist Church this past week. Scholarship amounts range from $500-$10,000 per student. Over $70,000 in scholarship renewals will be distributed later this summer, making a total of over $200,000 in scholarship grants in 2012 from 40 different scholarship funds at ETCF.

SANDY SPRINGS, GA. (AP/Staff) – Authorities in East Texas have arrested the husband of a Georgia lawyer who was shot eight times. Sandy Springs, Ga., Police Department spokesman Capt. Steve Rose says Michael Parson was arrested near Tyler just before midnight Saturday. He was arrested by a state trooper on a traffic stop. Authorities say Parson was taken into custody without incident and he is being held in the Van Zandt County Jail in Canton. Authorities have warrants for the arrest of Michael Parson, whom they accuse of being involved in the April 20 shooting of his wife, Adina Parson. The warrants accuse the husband of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, a firearm offense and making false statements. Parson had not been seen for several days. Family members said the wounded woman is starting to move her arms and legs. She is unable to speak.

TYLER — Toll 49 construction has reached I-20. Officials with the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) say the first of many construction activities taking place within the next several months is an eastbound shoulder closure, beginning today, allowing drainage work to begin. There will be signage making motorists aware of the shoulder closure. Officials say you should be prepared for any potential delays in the construction area. You can follow the NET RMA on Twitter and Facebook and stay current by logging onto http://www.toll49.org for the all of the latest updates.

NACOGDOCHES — A rumored fight on the Nacogdoches High School campus led to a heightened absence rate on Friday. According to Nacogdoches ISD officials, rumors had been floating around campus on Thursday about a gang fight that might involve weapons on Friday. Security was increased on campus as a precautionary measure, but school authorities tell KETK, there was never a weapon found, and they believe it to just be a rumor. Still, parents of many Nacogdoches ISD students opted to keep their children out of school Friday. The school district’s attendance rate for Friday was 66%, down from an average daily attendance rate of 95%. School officials said 554 students were absent out of the total 1697 enrolled. Nacogdoches ISD authorities tell KETK, they are still taking the situation very seriously, and will continue to monitor the issue to ensure the safety of all students on campus.

Nacogdoches ISD released the following statement: “The high school administration has done an excellent job of responding to rumors and issues of concern among our students on the campus and in the community. We appreciate the City and County for their support of our students while we addressed the issue. Both the county and the city sent officers to the campus to assist us in ensuring a smooth and safe start and ending of the school day. The message that I would like to send to our parents and community is that we are working very hard to maintain the excellent environment on the high school campus that you expect. Please understand that any student or community member who approaches any Nacogdoches ISD campus with intent to disrupt the educational process will find a swift and severe response. We are here to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students and any attempt to disrupt that goal will not be tolerated.”

EAST TEXAS — One Big Sandy resident had a bit of a scare Friday when he discovered a 7-foot alligator in his front yard. According to KETK, Dan Dassing lives within the Big Sandy city limits. Dassing was checking the mail when he noticed the gator by the front gate near a flower bed. The Big Sandy Fire Department along with officers were called in to remove the reptile without incident.

MINEOLA — A second person has died from injuries received Thursday in a one-vehicle crash in Wood County. DPS Sgt. Willie Drabble said Monica Hayes, 33, of Mineola, was pronounced dead at East Texas Medical Center in Quitman. Fannie Crowell, 53, of Alba, died at the scene of the crash on CR 2231 west of Mineola on Thursday afternoon. Drabble said the vehicle hit a concrete railing. Two others people in the vehicle were injured. The driver, Donald Houck, was taken to ETMC in Tyler. A third passenger, Cecil Cantrell, of Yantis, was transported to Trinity Mother Frances

GREGG COUNTY — One man is dead after he was hit crossing an intersection Thursday night in Longview. Shortly before 10:00, officers were called to the 3000 Block of Estes Parkway on a pedestrian accident involving a gold 1999 Toyota Camry. When officers arrived on scene, they found the victim, Robert Wayne Mullins, 51, Longview, lying in the roadway. Mullins was trying to cross the roadway in a dimly lit area located away from the intersection, when he was hit by the Camry driven by Rebecca Ann Sheets, 20, Tatum. Mullins was taken to a local hospital where he died.

The incident remains under investigation, Brian said, and police are asking for witnesses to the accident or anyone with information to contact Longview Police Traffic Unit officers at (903) 237-1199. If the caller wishes to remain anonymous he or she can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at (903) 236-STOP(7867) or submit a tip online at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

SMITH COUNTY – By a unanimous vote of its board of directors, Grassroots America – We the People endorses Larry Smith for Smith County sheriff. Smith is a veteran of 34 years in law enforcement. According to a statement from the citizen group, “Smith understands that to run a law enforcement agency successfully, he must provide consistent leadership and high standards, the right tools, and the right training for his people. The fact that he has ‘walked in the shoes of the men and women’ we depend upon for safety, security, and justice convinced us he understands how to lead a group of public servants who willingly put their lives on the line every day.” Smith faces Bobby Garmon, Chris Green, and Donn Rust in the May 29 GOP primary.

LONGVIEW — The man sent to show Kilgore firefighters how to use a new ladder truck did not bring or use a safety belt before a January 2009 training exercise that resulted in the deaths of two firefighters, testimony in a wrongful death lawsuit revealed Wednesday. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Doug Fleming, an instructor with the maker of the 95-foot aerial platform truck the city of Kilgore bought in December 2008, also did not include the use of safety belts in the presentation he gave firefighters when the truck was delivered. That’s according to his testimony, provided by videotape Wednesday in a lawsuit brought by the widow, mother and two children of Kilgore firefighter Kyle Perkins. The family is suing E-One and Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, respectively the maker and distributor of the ladder truck.

TYLER — The Smith County Bar Association and the Smith County Bar Foundation celebrated Law Day with a luncheon Friday at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. Awards presented at this year’s event include:

Justinian Award – Tom Henson
Award of Excellence – Jim Huggler
Young Lawyer of the Year – Greg Kimmel
Liberty Bell Award – Donna Ashby

New to the event this year was the establishment of a Law Day Endowment by the Smith County Bar Foundation. Contributions to the fund, made in honor of current and past recipients of the awards, will go to fund community projects such as the Courthouse model currently on display at the Discovery Science Place Children’s Museum.

Another example of community service that the Association does is sponsoring an essay contest for high school students and a poster contest for grades K through 5, celebrating this year’s national theme of No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom. The Essay contest winners are:

1st Place – Madison Behm (who also placed third in the State Bar of Texas Law Day contest)
2nd Place – Brandon Lackner
3rd Place – Max S. McKinley

The poster contest winners in K-2 were:
Brianna Tovar
Jade Castro
Cameron Ames

The poster contest winners in 3-5 were:
Elliot Davidson
Haley Minton
Jared McLean

You can go to http://www.smithcountybar.com to learn more about the Bar Association and its activities.

NACOGDOCHES — A Wednesday night fight sends two Nacogdoches women to the hospital. According to KETK, Tiffany Wyrick reportedly stabbed Lonnita Daniels several times. Both were taken to a local hospital. Daniels is still there; Wyrick made it out of the hospital and was taken to the Nacogdoches County Jail.

NACOGDOCHES — An officer with the Nacogdoches County Precinct 4 constable’s office discovers 6 grams of crystal meth inside a shoe box during a traffic stop. According to KETK, the officer pulled over 27-year-old Robbie Wallace for allegedly not wearing a seat belt. Officials say Wallace started acting suspicious. After searching his car, the officer reportedly found meth along with pills believed to be steroids. Wallace was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – A Canadian company that wants to build the disputed Keystone XL pipeline in the U.S. says it has submitted a new application for the project after changing the route to avoid environmentally sensitive land in Nebraska. TransCanada says it filed a new application Friday for the project to carry oil from western Canada to Steele City, Neb. It would link up there with other pipelines to carry oil to refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast, running through much of East Texas along the way. President Barack Obama blocked the project earlier this year, citing uncertainty over the Nebraska route, and drawing fire from Republicans. TransCanada proposed a new route last month that would veer east around the groundwater-rich Sandhills region.

TYLER – Tyler ISD schools, city leaders, and local businesses come together to celebrate GenTX Day, an event recognizing the graduating class of 2012 and their plans for the future. To join in this effort, community members were asked to wear their favorite college t-shirt Friday. According to materials from the city and TISD, Mayor Barbara Bass declared May 4 as GenTX Day with an official proclamation encouraging the community to show its support for the students of Generation TX. Tom Mullins, President/CEO of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and Tyler Economic Development Council; Dr. Randy Reid, Superintendent, Tyler ISD; Dr. Mike Metke, President, Tyler Junior College; and Jesse Acosta, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment, University of Texas at Tyler spoke during the ceremony.

Robert E. Lee High School lined its inner courtyard with college signs to show how many choices are available to students. The school also invited community members to have lunch on campus with a student ambassador serving as their host, giving the community member an opportunity to share his or her college experience with the student. Senior pictures scrolled in the Robert E. Lee cafeterias and library throughout the day.

At John Tyler High School, seniors participated in a signing day event during their lunch period where they announced which college they plan to attend. A table was also set up in the cafeteria for students in all grade levels to gather information about various universities.

Generation TX is an initiative of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to support the creation of a college-going and career-ready culture across the state. Organizers say the Generation TX movement helps students overcome the obstacles that stand between them and higher education, and seeks to empower those students with guidance, information, and inspiration to create a new future for themselves, their families, and all Texans.

TYLER — Flight For Life, part of Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, will offer “The Difficult Airway Course” for emergency responders June 2 and 3 at Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler’s Wisenbaker Conference Center. The course is limited to the first 100 registrants. It includes 15 contact hours of 2012 CE credits, provided by the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association and is approved by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services.

The program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 15 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Physician assistants should claim only those hours actually spent participating in the CME activity. This program was planned in accordance with AAPA’s CME Standards for Live Programs and for Commercial Support of Live Programs.

Cost of the course is $350. For more information, call Trey Moses with Flight for Life at 903-352-0432. To register, visit
http://www.ezregister.com/events/4454.

NACOGDOCHES — An Alabama man was arrested in Nacogdoches Thursday morning. Nacogdoches Police officials tell KETK, Ricky Eugene Prewitt, 41, Northport Alabama was riding a Kerrville bus, which was stopped at the bus station on the 2900 block of NW Stallings drive just after 9:30. When officers approached him, they discovered he had more than 200 grams of powder cocaine. Prewitt was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.